Standing Before the King of kings

 8 “While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭8‬, ‭25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “In his defense, Paul said by the Holy Spirit, “I have done nothing wrong. I’ve committed no offense against Jewish law, or against the temple, or against Caesar.” Yet upon investigation I couldn’t find one thing that he has done to deserve the death penalty. When he appealed to His Majesty the emperor, I determined to send him.”  Paul was so filled by the Holy Spirit that even after being in prison for two years, he was able to answer the new governor Festus in place of Felix.  The favour of God was so evident on Paul, that the Roman authorities found nothing to charge him against.  Scripture says “If you are uniquely gifted in your work, you will rise and be promoted. You won’t be held back— you’ll stand before kings!”  Paul was uniquely gifted as an apostle bringing the  revelation of the Word of God with clarity and power and stood before kings because he learned to stand before the King of kings and receive from Him.  Jesus said that those who are His disciples will face persecutions - “But before all these things happen, people will arrest you and do bad things to you. They will judge you in their synagogues and put you in jail. You will be forced to stand before kings and governors. They will do all these things to you because you follow me.“ Let’s know how to conduct ourselves before all manner of authorities because we stand before the King of kings.  Amen!

Absolute Peace for those Whose Imagination is Christ

 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “Perfect, absolute peace surrounds those whose imaginations are consumed with You; they confidently trust in You. Yes, trust in the Lord Yahweh forever and ever! For Yah, the Lord God, is your Rock of Ages!”  That mind which is stayed on the Lord Jesus Christ, is the imagination that forms and frames what Christ has done personally for us.  Imagination frames up one’s reality.  It is unfortunate that many today have rejected the God-created imagination that each of us possesses.  Our imagination must be set apart for God and continually made holy.  The imagination, both good and evil, is a frequent concept in Scripture.  The concept of God being our Rock speaks of the enduring protection, safety and security we have in Him.  We plant our feet on the Rock and find boldness and confidence.  Throughout every age and season of our lives, God remains the faithful Rock of all Ages!  Let’s cast down vain imaginations, and every high and arrogant thought that raises itself against the knowledge of God, and bring every thought in line with the Word of God and to the obedience of Christ.  Amen!

Believing in Our Resurrection from the Dead in Christ

 “and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “And my hope is in God, the same hope that even my accusers have embraced, the hope of a resurrection from the dead of both the righteous and the unrighteous. That’s why I seek with all my heart to have a clean conscience toward God and toward others. “After being away from Jerusalem for several years, I returned to bring to my people gifts for the poor.” Paul was giving his defence before Felix, the Roman governor in Caesarea, telling of his hope in the resurrection of the dead, which the Jewish high priests were accusing him about of his faith in Jesus Christ.  Paul believed as do we today that Christ is risen from the dead, as the Firstfruits of a great resurrection harvest of those who have died.  Christ, the Firstfruits, then those who belong to Christ in His Presence.  As the mighty Son of God Christ was raised from the dead and miraculously set apart with a display of triumphant power supplied by the Spirit of Holiness. And now Jesus is our Lord and our Messiah.  Paul’s desire, as is ours today, that he might attain the resurrection of the dead.  For this he worked towards a clear conscience as do we believers in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and it is through the sacred Blood of the Messiah that thoroughly cleanse our consciences! For by the power of the eternal Spirit Christ has offered Himself to God as the perfect Sacrifice that now frees us from our dead works to worship and serve the living God.  Hallelujah!

Death is Defeated in Christ Forever

 “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭25‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV

Isaiah prophesied, “It is the gloom of death! He will swallow it up in victory forever! And God, Lord Yahweh, will wipe away every tear from every face. He will remove every trace of disgrace that His  people have suffered throughout the world, for the Lord Yahweh has promised it!”  The gloom of death is like a shroud over every life.  The curse of death is defeated in Christ so that all may come to the rich, joyous feast of the Lord. As Paul said, “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.”  Jesus’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension have brought an endless victory, endless life and the conquest of every enemy.  Now He waits for His sons and daughters to arise and become the second witness to His eternal victory. Paul encourages so powerfully, “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”  Let’s believe it.  Hallelujah!

Growing In & Receiving From Christ in our Personal Relationship with Him

 “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “That night our Lord appeared to Paul and stood before him and said, “Receive miracle power. For just as you have spoken for Me in Jerusalem, you will also speak for Me in Rome.”  The Lord Jesus works with His servants and has appeared to them throughout Church history to encourage and give us direction for the expansion of God’s Kingdom.  Here Jesus tells Paul to have courage because it is Paul’s destiny to go to Rome and speak for Him.  Jesus has, through His Word, told us to go into all the world, and preach openly the wonderful news of the Gospel to the entire human race!  Paul took this seriously and obeyed it because his transformation from a Pharisee to an apostle brought him the passion for Christ to obey our Lord Jesus.  The Lord gave Paul many supernatural visions and revelations and Paul’s epistle to the Roman church is foundational in our walk with our Lord Jesus.  So it is that the Lord reveals Himself personally to each one of us who love Him with a passion and obey Him implicitly.  Let’s grow in our personal relationship with our God.  Amen!

The Lord Jesus Christ is Coming Again to Reign

 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭24‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “In that day, the Lord Yahweh will punish heaven’s host and the kings of the earth. They will be gathered together and locked up in a prison like prisoners in a pit, and after many days, they will be punished. Then the sun and moon will hang their heads in shame, for Yahweh, Commander of Angel Armies, will reign! He will manifest his glory on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, before all her elders!”  Here the high ones are the dark powers in the spirit realm that operate in rebellion to God, who along with the kings of the earth in rebellion to God, will be punished.  When the Lord Jesus Christ our God is unveiled in His Glory-Light, the sun and the moon are nothing compared to Him.  Let’s root out every rebellion against God in our lives and ask Him to teach us His way, and walk and live in His truth.  Let’s ask our heart to fear His Name with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder.  The Lord Jesus is worthy of all glory, honour and praise.  He is coming again to reign as the LORD of Hosts, in Mount Zion in Jerusalem.  Amen!

The Presence of the Victorious One in Believers

 “And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭22‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬

Dr. Luke records, “I answered, ‘Who are you, my Lord?’ “He said to me, ‘I Am Jesus, the Victorious. I Am the One you are persecuting.’ Those who were with me saw the Brilliant Light, but they didn’t hear the voice of the One Who spoke to me.”  Victorious comes from Nazarene, the Scion or Heir of a Powerful Family Who is Victorious.  Those who are believers in Christ are the grafted branches of  this Family Tree and are victorious in Christ.  Such is the Presence of the Victorious One that people come into the fear of God and are convicted.  That same Brilliant Light is in us believers.  Let’s be clear of our identity, for those of us who are in Christ, and the grafted branches of the Victorious One.  If we walk in relationship with the Victorious One, we would not lead defeated lives, constantly prey to sickness, disease, worries, fears, confusion, impatience and anger.  We would know Whom we have believed in and trusted.  We would be constantly thanking our God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, and Who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.  Let’s know and manifest the victory of our Lord Jesus everywhere we go.  Amen!

Receiving God’s Promises by Faith

 “And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭23‬:‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied, “But her merchandise and earnings will be set apart as holy to the Lord Yahweh. They will neither be stored nor hoarded, but they will supply abundant food and splendid garments for those who live in the Presence of the Lord Yahweh!”  Isaiah prophesied this for the wealthy Phoenician port of Tyre that it will face destruction and that God will restore it.  With the devil there is always destruction but God brings restoration.  As Jesus said, “A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect —life in its fullness until you overflow!”  Those who receive by faith God’s Word are set apart to live before the face of God and on whom His face shines.  Let’s believe God’s promises for His abundance is in every area of our life.  God calls us His beloved when He promises, “Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering.”  The ageing process is nothing to God for He says, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youth shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”  Let’s receive God’s promises by faith and walk by faith and not by sight.  Amen!

Serving the Body of Christ

 “And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭21‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Dr. Luke records, “Then we went on to Caesarea and stayed for several days in the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven deacons”.  An evangelist is simply a preacher of the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ, a preacher of the hope humanity has in the Blood Sacrifice of Jesus Christ which frees us from the bondage of sin.  Philip is described as both an evangelist and a deacon or a servant.  When the Church first began, there were so many new disciples and they had to continue.  Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.  Every minister must become a servant.  Jesus Himself as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.  God wants order and the Church has been given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.  Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to serve the body of Christ as we surrender our will to His.  Amen!

Preach Christ and Him Crucified

 “Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say, What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭22‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The Lord Yahweh directed Isaiah, “This is what the Lord Yahweh, the Commander of Angel Armies, has to say: “Go to Shebna, the treasurer of the palace, and say to him, ‘What right do you have to be here, and who gave you permission? And why do you chisel out a tomb for yourself here, carving out your royal burial place, a dwelling place in the rock?”  Shebna was King Hezekiah’s scribe, a high government official who because of his self-importance and corrupt ways, was removed and replaced by Eliakim, the son of the high priest and a man of integrity. Shebna is a picture of the self-centred Adam-life which is the spirit of anti-Christ that seeks self-promotion.  But God removes our Shebna and replaces it with Eliakim (the Christ-life within us) for those who believe in what the Lord Jesus did for us personally, on the Cross.  This principle of replacement is found throughout the Scriptures - Isaac for Ishmael, David for Saul, Esther for Vashti, Samuel for Eli, Matthias for Judas etc.).  Many rock-cut tombs have been discovered on an elevated cliff on the other side of Kidron Valley in the village of Silwan.  It seems that Shebna was hewing out his tomb on a cliff, meant for royalty, which was a gross display of self-promotion.  Paul’s attitude towards this was that those who preach Christ with ambition and competition are insincere.  However, whatever be the reason, preaching Christ with mixed motives or with genuine love, the message of Christ is still being preached and that’s a cause for rejoicing.  Amen!